My futile attempt at stopping tomorrows "unacceptable" posts. OSU edition.

Submitted by wolverine1987 on

Reading through the threads today, I'd estimate over 80% of the blog expects us to lose tomorrow, and only somewhat fewer than that expect a blowout ala Baumgardner's prediction. I also expect us to lose, and in truth see little chance of winning, and none if JOK starts. Of course there is always hope, and as one poster said "the odds against Rocky versus Drago were higher than this!" 

Expectations guide reaction to events, and as has been noted by Bill Connelly and others most of us predicted 9-3 this year, 10-2 if everything clicked. The fact that we will likely be 8-4 with our third QB (or a #2 guy that is unfortunately very bad at playing QB) and major offensive line problems is not actually that surprising. Yes disappointing, very disappointing and concerning for sure. And it's completely fair to question the coaching this year--particularly on the 0-line, whose inability to pick up stunts and twists is actually mystifying. Next year is a major year for this staff, and it will be fair to say that this staff has something to prove in 2018 to back up their deservedly good reputations. 

But this is known, and anticipated. I get that immediately after a loss people's emotions are frayed. But we should remember our predictions today, when it's time to comment tomorrow. Or not, and flame away...

And lastly, we suffered through a run of 3, 5, 7, 11, 8, 7 and 5 win seasons--one in seven that was good. We now have had two 10 win seasons, and an 8-9 win season with an acceptable explanation(s). Anyone that says the program isn't in better shape now doesn't know what they are talking about. And that despite a tough schedule there is every rational reason to expect next year will be much better. Go Blue. 

Stringer Bell

November 24th, 2017 at 1:46 PM ^

Its more how we got to 8-4. Florida was expected to be a solid win; they're a complete dumpster fire. Air Force fielded their worst team in a while. We struggled mightily in wins against bad teams like Cincy, Purdue and Indiana. We lost at home to a MSU team that is less talented and just as inexperienced as us. And we were uncompetitive against PSU and will presumably will be against OSU tomorrow. This year has raised some serious concerns for me.

Stringer Bell

November 24th, 2017 at 2:35 PM ^

I'm not the one being paid $9 million to come up with the solution.  I do think Drevno needs to go.  In 3 years he has yet to develop anything resembling a competent OLine, his playcalling leaves a lot to be desired, and he's not an ace recruiter.  In fact, his OLine is the reason we lost our top 2 QBs this year, which makes it a lot harder to use the QB injuries as an excuse for this season.  

 

But something needs to be done.  We had the best team in the Big Ten last year and finished 3rd in our own god damn division.  We have too much talent this year to look as poorly as we have.  It's hard to point to "next year" when you don't have faith in the offensive coaches to properly develop that side of the ball.

Maizen

November 24th, 2017 at 2:04 PM ^

Original thoughts are few and far between here. People defended Dave Brandon over every little thing and it wasn't until Brian started calling for his head that people finally got on board. Wolverine Devotee was the leader of that little cult. Don't you dare be critical of their precious football team or interrupt their safe space.

schreibee

November 24th, 2017 at 3:30 PM ^

I'm a classic, died-in-the-wool Ann Arbor native, child of educators, unabashed Berniecrat - and I have NEVER used the expressions "safe space" or "snowflake"-

These are not employed by both sides of the political/social divide, nor mocked by both sides.

They are fully owned by one, fully derided by the other.

But I think you knew that...

Maynard

November 24th, 2017 at 3:34 PM ^

So here's what great about this site. I have argued with both you and Monocle in this thread and we have gone back and forth ribbing each other and disagreeing and then I read these two and I'm in full agreement. Both spot on when it comes to this. 

I like you already. Haha

Maizen

November 24th, 2017 at 1:54 PM ^

He's a troll because he has concerns after an 8-4 season? Solid logic.

You want sunshine pumped up your ass if we lose by 30 tomorrow? You want to hear all the excuses to make yourself feel better about it? 

The internet may not be the place for you if that's the case.

CTG

November 24th, 2017 at 2:25 PM ^

You should follow the Maizen way and create negative post after negative post until the team is acceptable to him.  Somehow continual negative posting will change our university's success...  Keep up the fight Maizen.

KC Wolve

November 24th, 2017 at 1:47 PM ^

I wasn’t going to be angry or irrational tomorrow anyway, but reading this assured it won’t happen. The only thing better than a bunch of posts about firing people are a bunch of posts about people needing to calm down.

Maizen

November 24th, 2017 at 1:50 PM ^

OSU won a national championship with their 3rd string QB. Before the season no one expected blowout losses to PSU and OSU. No one isn't saying Harbaugh doesn't have the program in better shape than when he took over, but if you think this was an "acceptable" year you're delusional. 

RedGreene

November 24th, 2017 at 2:03 PM ^

Acceptable? To you? I hate to break it to you Sally but no one gives a shit what you think is acceptable. Are you going to stop following UM football? What will the program do without your $5 donation to the athletic department?

schreibee

November 24th, 2017 at 2:47 PM ^

The problem with being the Boy Who Cried Wolf of Mgoblog and tossing out "Unacceptable" constantly, as Maizen does, is that you have to then provide reasonable, actionable alternatives. Otherwise you ARE just a Troll. And when framing it all in angry rants like you're the kid bomber on Punisher, well... you start to sound like the kid on Punisher!

Drevno appears to be in over his head - to my unlearned eye, but also nearly everything negative Brian UFRs should fall under his purview.

I realize he's been a successful OLine coach with JH before, but clearly too much may be on his plate here? The blown blocking assignments alone are enough - and now there's another OLine coach, who's techniques (again, to my minimal knowledge) seem to be antithetical to JH/Drev's?

But beyond the bad blocking is some nonsensical play calling. You have to default to blaming the guy who's called OC/OL coach for the problems.

But "Unaccpetable" - what's it mean?

Whatchu gon DO about it?!

Maynard

November 24th, 2017 at 2:53 PM ^

This "Whatchu gon DO about it?!" line sounds tough but actually when there is a lot of people who take on an opinion and voice that opinion it does resonate sometimes. For instance, people on here wouldn't get so defensive about criticism toward Harbaugh if there was no chance that it would make a difference. In fact, I believe there are a lot of guys on here who are so fucking afraid that enough criticism will either drive him away or undermine the long-term efforts that they bully others into silence. I've seen it a bunch. Otherwise, why would everyone care so much what guys like Maizen say? The answer is simple. They wouldn't.

So "Whatchu gon DO about it?!" is just as hollow.

Maynard

November 24th, 2017 at 3:09 PM ^

No. It's not. But if you want to be the Circle Jerk Repository Manager, that's your business. This isn't a place for strictly groupthink. If you can't intelligently speak with others who don't share your opinion, that's on you. You have staked out the easy side, where you call for silence. I don't agree with everything Maizen says but if you take the pessimism out, the points that are made are still valid sometimes. 

 

Maizen

November 24th, 2017 at 3:40 PM ^

You can always tell the posters who went to UM vs the ones that didn't. The University of Michigan has always been about diversity, the free exchange of ideas, openess to different POV, etc. It's part of what makes it great. And there is no more liberal city in the country than Ann Arbor, MI. The people that attended our great institution understand that. The people who didn't don't. What's worse is that they try to make actual alums and donors feel bad and try and shame them, and for what? Pay them no mind. I don't.

schreibee

November 24th, 2017 at 3:11 PM ^

It's the opposite of "hollow" - it's calling out hollow as such.

What are YOU (Maizen, ak47, et al) going to DO about a L tomorrow?

If no overhaul of the coaching staff results?

If the 2018 class doesn't end up getting substantively better than it appears now?

What are any of us gonna DO?

Besides bitch on the internet...

And quite frankly, the absolute MOST impact you will EVER have is, in fact, to drive Harbaugh and potential croots away. 

Think about that - that's ALL you can possibly accomplish. 

Would that satisfy ya, or would you say the boy's insane? 

You Only Live Twice

November 24th, 2017 at 4:17 PM ^

In response to "unacceptable" and "no excuses"  it's quite reasonable to ask the person what their alternative might be.  To my knowledge no one ever responds.  

No one is afraid that Harbaugh is going to be driven away by internet trolls!